St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-26
his, he determined upon an awful re-

HIS, He ueteIullneu upon I'LL awful re-
venge.
One night as the celebrated surgeon,
Lisfranc, was returning from profeS-
siOnal visit, he was captured by party
of men, blindfolded and taken to dis
tant palace. and led through labyrinth
of passages and rooms. At last he found
himself in a small chamber furnished
with remarkable luxury, and half-lit by
an alabaSter lamp hung from the cell
ing. The windows were Theoretically
sealed, as well as the curtains of an al
cove at the end of the room.
Doctor" said the man with whom he
now found himself alone, in an abrupt,
loud voice, prepare for your work-an
amputatiOn."
ssWhere is the patient?' asked the
doctor, turning toward the aleove. The
curtains moved slightly, and he heard a
Stified sigh.
Prepare. sir" said the man, convul-
sively.n
but, sir, must see the patient"
You will see only the hand you are
to cut off,"
The doctor, folding his arms and look
ing firmly at the other, said: ''Sir, you
my professional assistance | shall do my
self about your secrets, but if you wish
to commit crime you can not force me
to be your accOmplice.D
''Be content, sir" replied the other
''there is no crime in this" and leading
him to the alcove lie drew from the cur
tain a hand. sit is this you are to cut
off,"
The doctor took the hand in his; his
fingers trembled at the touch. 1t
was a lady'S hand-small, beautifully
nodded, and its pure white set off by
a magnificent ruby encircled with dia-
mOndS.
'.But,n cried the doctor, ''there is no
need of amputation; nothing is"
'And |, sir! L say" Numbered the
other, IF you refuse L will do it my
SELF" and, Selling a Ratchet, he drew
the hand toward a small table and
seemed about to strike. The doctor
arrested his arm. ''Do your duty, then
DOCTOR -
''Oh, but this is an atrocious act,'' said
the surgeon.
"What is that to you? 1t must be DONE
l wish it; madam wishes it also. If
necessary she will demand it herself.
Come, madam, request the doctor to do
you this Serviee.".
l. HC uOCtOls fluilpluooCu dliO dllIOoJ
fainting under the torture of his feel
ings, heard from the alcOve in half
expiring voice and an ineXpreSSible
accent of despair and resignation:
"Sir, since you are SurgeOn-yeS-I
entreat yOu-let it be you, and notch,
yes, you'll you! in mercy"
''Well, DOCTOR" said the man. ''yOu
or I?''
The resolution of this man was so
frightful, and the prayer of the poor
lady so full of entteaty and despair,
that the doctor felt that even humanity
commanded of him compliance with the
appeal of the victim. He took his in
struments with last implOring look at
the unknown, who only pointed to the
hand, and then with a sinking heart be-
gan the operation. For the first time in
his experience his hand trembled, but
the knife was doing its work; there was
a cry from the alcove, and then all was
silent. Nothing was heard but the hor-
rid sound OF the operation till the hand
and the saw fell together on the floor.
LiSfranc wore the ruby on his watch
chain, where it was seen by the young
lover on his return to Paris, and out of
it grew duel that led to disclosure of
the infamous crime. The morning after
the young lovers arrived at the capital
he was preSentedb man in livery
with an ebony box. Opening it he dis
covered a bleeding hand-Matilda'S
and ON it paper with these words:
''See how the countess Of = keeps her
OATH" - 9. e.